INYO COUNTY SPEECH CONTEST WINNERS

​The Inyo County Office of Education proudly announces the winners of the 2026 Inyo County Speech Contest, highlighting the talent and dedication of local students. Reed Magan of Round Valley Elementary School earned first place for his speech titled “Hooked.” Second place went to Vivien Reinhardt, also from Round Valley Elementary, for her presentation, “Why Glass is a Smash.” Zayne Reed of Bishop Elementary School captured third place with his speech, “Green Light Idea.”

​Additional students who represented their schools in this year’s competition included:

​Walker Rosen, Round Valley Elementary (5th Grade) — “The Most Important Invention of All Time: The Alphabet”

​Iris Perez, Bishop Elementary (5th Grade) — “Spectacular Spectacles”

​Iona Sharma, Bishop Elementary (5th Grade) — “The Needle of Safety”

​Elizabeth Edwards, Bishop Elementary (5th Grade) — “The Flush of a Toilet”

​Sean O’Connor, Bishop Elementary (5th Grade) — “Word Perfect”

​Isabella Sinforiano-Solorio, Bishop Elementary (5th Grade) — “The Highlighter”

​Patience Williams, Home Street Middle School (6th Grade) — “The Device Behind Mass-Media”

​Tulie Saenz, Home Street Middle School (8th Grade) — “A Game-Changer for Women”

​Sponsored by Bishop Real Estate, the contest took place on February 10 at the Jill Kinmont Boothe School. Students in fifth, sixth, and eighth grades from Bishop Elementary, Round Valley Elementary, and Home Street Middle School participated. This year’s theme, “The Best Invention Ever,” challenged students to speak about an invention that has significantly changed the world and explain its importance.

​Event Details and Recognition

​Audience members were struck by the confidence, creativity, and preparation demonstrated by the speakers, each of whom devoted considerable time and effort to researching and presenting their chosen topics.

​A panel of three community judges evaluated the speeches based on content and delivery. The judges included Inyo/Mono County Horticulture Advisor Dustin Blakey, Language Specialist Amara Keller, and Community Schools Coordinator Serena Johnson. ICOE also extended its thanks to Jake Muson and Bishop Real Estate for sponsoring the event and awarding trophies and cash prizes to the top speakers.

​Special recognition was given to the dedicated school coaches:

​Tiffany Vandehoven, Abby Sada, Joslyn Hernandez, C.J. Cintas, and Meghan Avila (Bishop Elementary School)

​Mark DesRochers (Home Street Middle School)

​Rory Winzenread (Round Valley Elementary School)

​Photo Captions

​Group Photo (Contestants):

2026 Speech Contest contestants (Back row, left to right): Tulie Saenz, Patience Williams, Isabella Sinforiano-Solorio, Reed Magan, Walker Rosen, and Vivien Reinhardt. (Front row, left to right) Elizabeth Edwards, Iris Perez, Sean O’Connor, Iona Sharma, and Zayne Reed.

​Winners Photo:

Inyo County Superintendent of Schools Barry Simpson, 3rd Place Winner Zayne Reed of Bishop Elementary School, 1st Place Winner Reed Magan of Round Valley Elementary School and 2nd Place Winner Vivien Reinhardt of Round Valley Elementary School.